By Ilana Jael
Area Stage is proud to announce that Giancarlo Rodaz is it’s new Artistic Director. This decision comes in recognition of Rodaz’ major successes over the past few years at the helm of the company’s mainstage productions. Rodaz, Miami New Times Best Director 23, has made substantial contributions to the artistic identity of the critically acclaimed theatre and the conservatory.
He aspires to turn ASC into a place where artists can develop new work as well as reinventing classic, beloved shows for the modern age, eventually gaining the capacity to produce beyond Miami.
His plans for the conservatory program include crafting a more “personalized” experience for the students, offering an environment in which they can work with professionals on their own artistic projects—which might include original scripts, staging, and “other forms of storytelling”— as opposed to simply attending classes.
In the meantime, he remains devoted to “pushing what’s possible in a theatrical environment”. He plans to do so by continuing his exploration of immersive theatre—a genre he feels has often been looked at as a mere gimmick rather than a legitimate way to further engage audiences in the stories he tells theatrically. “Right now, we’re pushing forward with that mindset.”
The season, which you can learn more about at ASC’s website, includes Disney’s The Little Mermaid, starting on this August 9th and The Addams Family, in February of 2024, both at the Arsht Center. Tickets are already on sale.
You can get a sneak peek of the show at a special Disney themed fundraiser this July 29th. This fun-filled evening will feature performances by New York actors Josslyn Shaw and Henry Thraser, and Frank Montoto, who theatregoers may recognize from his recent Carbonell-nominated performance in Beauty and the Beast.
If that weren’t exciting enough, former Mousketeer Lindsey Alley is set to serve as our host, and the show will also feature performances by the actors involved in ASC’s Inclusion Theatre Project. The project, which this fundraiser is set to benefit, provides children and adults with intellectual disabilities with scholarships. If you’d like to help these special students continue to be a part of our theatrical world in this joyous celebration, you can grab your ticket here!
